Women's Basketball Weekly Honors - Nov. 17
CAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL - WEEKLY REPORT (NOV. 17)
PLAYER OF THE WEEK:
Lauren Okafor • James Madison
Redshirt Senior | Center | Hamden, Conn./Hopkins School (Providence)
Lauren Okafor averaged a double-double (12.0ppg/15.0rpg) and had a career game in James Madison’s overtime win over No. 23 UCLA. Okafor set career highs with 16 points and 16 rebounds, shot 54.5 percent (6-11), while notching her 100th career block in the upset of the Bruins. Okafor followed that up with a 14-rebound, eight-point performance with a block in the win over St. Bonaventure. For the week, Okafor shot 53.3 percent from the floor and committed just two turnovers in 63 minutes of action.
ROOKIE OF THE WEEK:
Chastity Taylor • Delaware
Freshman | Forward | Islandia, N.Y./St. Anthony’s
Chastity Taylor had an impressive collegiate debut for the Blue Hens in their win over (RV) Marist College on Sunday. The forward came off the bench to tally 12 points on 5-for-8 shooting, including two three-pointers. She also grabbed three boards, two assists, and a steal without a turnover in 18 minutes of action.
#CAAHOOPS - THE WEEK THAT WAS
The CAA had a good showing during the opening weekend of play, going a combined 9-5 on Friday and Sunday. Eight of the 10 teams opened action on their home courts and went a combined 6-2.
• College of Charleston: The Cougars got off to a tough start falling at Kennesaw State, 68-61, in their season opener before being edged by UNC Greensboro, 70-68, on a buzzer beater. Breanna Bolden had a double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds while UCSB transfer Jacqueline Luna-Castro had 10 rebounds against Kennesaw State. Guard Shiclasia Brown dished out 11 assists against UNC Greensboro.
• Delaware: The Blue Hens went 1-1 during the first weekend of play. Delaware posted their first win over the year over (RV) Marist in the form of a 70-60 decision behind 21 points from Erika Brown. The Blue Hens opened the season with a road loss, falling at Lafayette, 63-52, despite double-doubles from Joy Caracciolo (10pts/15reb) and Alecia Bell (13pts/10reb). Caracciolo averaged 14.0 rebounds and 9.0 points during opening weekend.
• Drexel: Drexel opened the season with a 62-53 win over Cornell. Sarah Curran had 12 points while Meghan Creighton and Jamila Thompson each had 11 points. The Dragons have won three-straight season openers.
• Elon: The Phoenix made their CAA debut by posting a pair of victories. Elon won its second-straight season opener with a 77-72 win over Anderson. Elon had four score in double digits, including Zora Stephenson who had 15 points. The Phoenix also claimed a win over Navy behind Sam Coffer’s 15 points. Coffer averaged 13.5 points per game during opening weekend.
• Hofstra: The Pride was edged in overtime by Central Connecticut State, 71-66, at home. Sophomore forward Elo Edeferioka notched her fifth career double-double with a career-high 22 points to go with 13 rebounds in 33 minutes. Rookie guard Ashunae Durant nearly had a double-double in her collegiate debut after scoring 11 points with nine rebounds.
• James Madison: The Dukes opened the season by upsetting No. 23 UCLA, 91-87, in overtime at the JMU Convocation Center. Lauren Okafor had a career day with 16 points and 16 rebounds. Precious Hall went 12-for-12 from the free throw line and finished with 25 points. JMU followed that up with a 76-43 win over St. Bonaventure. Hall had 19 points while Toia Giggetts had 12 points to extend her double-digit scoring streak to 28 games.
• UNCW: The Seahawks opened the season with a 75-38 victory over UNC Pembroke. Five scored in double figures, including Kelva Atkins (10pts/13reb) and Amber Reeves (12pts/10reb) who had double-doubles.
• Northeastern: Northeastern gave Head Coach Kelly Cole her first collegiate victory by clipping city rival Boston University, 75-74, in the season opener at the Cabot Center. The entire starting five scored in double figures against Boston University, led by Samantha DeFreese who had 24 points and 14 boards.
• Towson: The Tigers battled back from an early deficit only to have its lead slip away late in the Preseason WNIT opener at Penn State. Towson fell 71-64. Guard Dominique Johnson had the CAA’s first 30-point game of the year. She had 32 points, with six three-pointers, in 36 minutes of action.
• William & Mary: The Tribe got the season started off on a high note by clipping Loyola (Md.), 72-71, on a last second lay-up by Latrice Hunter. Guard Alex Masaquel had a double-double with 12 points and 16 rebounds.
#CAAHoops Hot Shots
• CAA in the Preseason WNIT: Towson opened 2014 Preseason WNIT action with a tough 71-64 loss at Penn State. They will host the first round of consolation play on November 21 at the SECU Arena. St. Francis Brooklyn faces North Dakota State at 4:30 p.m. before the Tigers take on Rider at 6:30 p.m.
• Welcome Elon: The Colonial Athletic Association welcomes new member Elon University for the 2014-15 season. Fourth-year Head Coach
Charlotte Smith has a solid mix of veterans and experienced youth returning. The Phoenix picked up 15 wins, including 10 victories in the SoCon, last year. Elon returns four of its five starters from one year ago, including second-leading scorer
Zora Stephenson and SoCon Freshman of the Year
Jenifer Rhodes. Senior forward
Sam Coffer and sophomore guard
Lauren Brown, who was named to the SoCon All-Rookie squad, are also back.
• Welcome Coaches: The CAA is proud to introduce two new head coaches to the league. Northeastern will be led by
Kelly Cole, the former Boston College and Harvard assistant who brings more than 20 years of coaching experience with her. She made 11 trips to the postseason, eight of those to the NCAA Tournament. At the College of Charleston,
Candice M. Jackson will begin her first season as a collegiate head coach after spending the past three seasons as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Duke University.
• CAA Championship Tickets: Tickets for the 2015 CAA Women's Basketball Championship, March 12-15, at the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, Md. are currently on sale at
www.caasports.com/tickets.